IT WAS ice creams and smiles all round for one ‘outstanding’ school.

Piddle Valley First School pupils were treated to ice-cream as a celebration of their outstanding Ofsted result.

The Office for Standards in Education produced a report saying that the Piddlethenthide school provided an outstanding environment for teaching and learning.

The report said: “Piddle Valley is an outstanding school. Achievement is consistently high for all pupils because of very strong leadership, outstanding teaching, an exciting creative curriculum and rigorous tracking of pupil’s progress.”

It added: “Exceptionally well-planned lessons engage pupils, motivating them extremely well. Attendance is high and pupils really enjoy learning.”

The report highlighted one improvement that could be made for the future.

It said the school should: “Enhance extra-curricular provision for gifted and talented pupils, providing more opportunities to challenge and extend their learning.”

The report said that since the last inspection the school had improved achievement in mathematics and praised the work of the school in ‘improving the achievement of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs’.

Headteacher Tracy Jones said she was proud of all the staff and pupils and praised the work of the school community.

She said: “I am very proud of the staff and children who work so incredibly hard on a daily basis and have now been officially recognised for their outstanding qualities. “The school has worked hard since the last inspection in November 2008 and has benefited from excellent leadership and support from the governing body, the previous headteacher and the local community.”

Chairman of the Governors Tony Monds, praised the work of Mrs Jones and called Ofsted’s judgement a ‘milestone’.

He said: “I am delighted that the consistent hard work of the whole school community under Tracy’s inspirational leadership has been recognised in this way. “Ofsted’s judgement is a significant milestone in our sustained programme of continual improvement designed to allow each and every child at our school to fulfil their God-given potential.”